Disc throwing game

ABSTRACT

A target comprises a pair of hinged panels with circular openings and parallel slots. The target is supported by a set of two like planar supports hinged to an edge of each panel at opposite target edges. The slots have a length of about the same dimension as the circular opening diameter in one embodiment. Openings with different diameters may be combined with slots of different lengths than those diameters. Discs known as Frisbees are thrown at the target to try to throw the discs through the slots or openings. Frisbees have a configuration wherein when thrown with a spin tend to fly toward a target in a horizontal orientation and are controllable to some degree in the direction of flight. Points are assigned. The relative dimensions of the openings and slots to the discs can vary the degree of difficulty or by orienting the panels at different angles to the disc thrower. Different embodiments are disclosed.

This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/863,236 filed Oct. 27, 2006 and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This invention relates to a disc throwing game, and particularly, Frisbee discs and target therefore.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,466 discloses a throwing game and goal therefore. Two skeletal frame members and a netlike covering define a frontal area defined by the covering. The frontal area of one frame member is less than the frontal area of the other frame member. The frame members overlap to form higher and lower goal zones.

US Published application No. 2006 0091608 discloses a toss game comprising a multipanel assembly including a flat multiple identically shaped panels having first and second surfaces with printed design indicia. Each side margin of the middle panel is hinged to a side margin of each of two end panels to extend to open flat or folded closed positions or may form a self supporting polyhedron shape such as a truncated pyramid. Hook and loop material forms the target area at which a throw piece also with matching hook and loop material so it is self attaching on the target.

US Published application No. 2005 0200079 discloses a mobile practice target including a framework with vertical and angled supports for capturing an object propelled at the target and means for transporting the target to simulate dynamic training conditions.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,923,448 discloses a tossing game method for tossing washer like objects at stakes.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,268 discloses a disk tossing game and ring disks therefore. A target surface includes scoring pegs for receiving the disks.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,200 discloses a disc toss game which includes a target box with a false bottom between top and bottom edges. A tube is mounted within the target box with an upper edge that is adjustable from upper to lower positions.

US Published application No. 2004 0239036 discloses a tossing game method using modular panels with slots, colored washers and stakes.

US Published application No. 2004 0178584 discloses a tossing game kit and system for a modified washer tossing game. Modular panels with slots, colored washers and stakes are used.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,249 discloses a disc tossing game having a target comprising convex landing surfaces and space pockets deployed. Discs are tossed onto the target.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,957 discloses a tossing game including a plurality of moveable targets with upward facing opening and a plurality of projectiles being tossed for accuracy into the opening, the target may be a tube and/or inflatable or floating.

Numerous other patents disclose a wide variety of tossing games involving disks or other objects.

The present inventors see a need for a still other game that may have widespread interest involving well known Frisbee (a trademark of the Whamo Corp.) discs, which as known, have a given design that exhibits a somewhat controllable flight pattern when thrown with an induced spin.

A disc throwing game according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a disc for being thrown with an induced spin, the disc having a thickness and length and being arranged with an exterior contour that results in the thrown spinning disc to be propelled in a given relative orientation to the force of gravity from a proximal throwing region to a distal remote region. A target member has a target region and is arranged to stand upright with the target region generally vertical, the target region having a plurality of first openings dimensioned relative to the disc thickness and length to receive the disc therethrough.

In a further embodiment, the target member comprises a planar sheet.

In a further embodiment, the first openings comprise at least one circular opening and at least one slit having a length greater than its thickness.

In a further embodiment, the target first openings comprise at least one circular opening and at least one slit having a length greater than its thickness, the length of the slit and diameter of the circular opening being substantially the same.

In a further embodiment, the target first openings comprise at least one circular opening and at least one slit having a length greater than its thickness, the slit length and the opening diameter corresponding to the disc length and different therefrom by at least a fraction of an inch.

In a further embodiment, the target first openings comprise at least one circular opening and at least one slit having a length greater than its thickness, the slit thickness differing from the disc thickness by at least a fraction of an inch.

In a further embodiment, the target comprises a plurality of sheet members movably connected together to form a single target region.

In a further embodiment, the target comprises a plurality of sheet members hinged together, at least two of the sheet members each having at least one opening.

In a further embodiment, the target comprises a plurality of sheet members hinged together, at least two of the sheet members having at least one opening, at least one of the openings comprising a circle and the other opening comprising a slit, the slit having a length and the circle having a diameter, both the disc length and the circle diameter being larger than the disc length.

The target may comprise a plurality of sheet members hinged together, the first openings comprising a second opening comprising a circle and a third opening comprising a slit, at least one second opening being on at least one of the sheet members and at least one third opening being on at least one further sheet member other than the one sheet member.

The target may comprise a plurality of sheet members hinged together, said first openings comprising a second opening comprising a circle and a third opening comprising a slit, at least one second opening being on each said target sheet members and at least two third openings being on each said sheet members.

The target in a further embodiment may comprise a plurality of sheet members hinged together, the first openings comprising at least one second opening comprising a circle on each sheet member and a third opening comprising a slit, a plurality of the third openings being on each of the target sheet members.

The openings on each target sheet member in a further embodiment are aligned one above the other.

The circle on a first target sheet member in a further embodiment is aligned above the slits on that sheet member, all slits and the circle being aligned one above the other, and the circle on a second target sheet member being aligned below the slits on that target sheet member, the circle and slits on the second target sheet member being aligned one above the other.

At least one support supports the target member in a further embodiment, the target member defining a plane and being supported by the support with the plane generally vertical.

A disc throwing game in a further embodiment comprises a disc for being thrown with an induced spin, the disc having a thickness and length and being arranged with an exterior contour that results in the thrown spinning disc to be propelled in a given relative orientation to the force of gravity from a proximal throwing region to a distal remote region. A target member is arranged to stand upright and generally vertical and comprising at least two sheet members each defining a plane and having a target region, the target region of each member having a plurality of openings, the openings on each member comprising first and second different openings, each opening being dimensioned relative to the disc thickness and length to receive the disc therethrough. An arrangement is included for supporting the target members with its plane vertical.

IN THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a target according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a disc used with the target of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a representative support, a pair of which in mirror image relation, are shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the target of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the target of FIG. 1 arranged in a different orientation than that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of the disc of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 7 and 9 are front perspective views of respective targets similar to that of FIG. 1, but with openings in a different configurations from each other and that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the target of FIG. 1 arranged in a different orientation than that of FIGS. 1, 4 and 5; and

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the target of FIG. 9.

In FIGS. 1 and 4, target 10 comprises two target panels 12, 14 and four like mirror image supports 16, 16′ and 18, 18′. Supports 16, 18 extend away from the front F of the target and supports 16′ and 18′ extend in the opposite direction away from the rear R of the target′. In this embodiment the supports 16, 16′, 18, and 18′ are all identical, but may differ from each other in other embodiments. The supports 16, 16′ support one side of the panels 12, 14 and the supports 18, 18′ support the opposite side of the panels. The panels 12, 14 in this embodiment are of like external peripheral dimensions and shape. This is by way of example, as the panels may have any desired external peripheral shape as may be desired for a given implementation. The panels 12, 14 are rectangular in their peripheral shape in this embodiment, but may be polygons, trapezoids, circular or any other desired shapes. The panels 12, 14 are made of the same sheet material, for example, thermoplastic, thermoset plastic, paperboard, metal, wood, or any other relatively stiff sheet material. However, the panels 12, 14 are sufficiently stiff and rigid and are sufficiently strong and hard to withstand blows from impacts of thrown discs.

The panel 12, which is representative, has a length l that is about twice its width w. This dimension is only by way of example. A hinge 20 attaches the two panels 12, 14 for pivoting about axis 22. Panel 12 has a circular opening 24 therethrough. The opening 24 is located near the panel top edge 26. The opening 24 has a diameter d. Below and aligned with the opening 24 is a series of aligned like through slots 28. The slots have a length d and a transverse width t, all slots being of the same dimensions in this embodiment. The slots have semicircular edges 30 at both ends of each slot. The slot edges 30 are aligned vertically in directions 32 with the edge 34 of the opening 24. The slots 28 in this embodiment are equally spaced from each other, but this may differ for other embodiments.

While the slots in this embodiment are identical, they may differ in length d and width t from each other in other embodiments or may be the same in other embodiments, but may be of different dimensions d and t among the various embodiments. Four slots 28 are shown in this embodiment on panel 12, but there may be fewer or greater number of slots 28 on a panel in other embodiments. While the slots 28 are beneath the circular opening 24 in this embodiment they may be above and below or just above the opening 24 in other embodiments. Generally, the slots and opening are centrally disposed between opposite longitudinal edges of the panel 12 such as edge 38 for example.

Panel 14 is of like outer peripheral dimensions as panel 12 in this embodiment, but could differ in other embodiments. Panel 14 has a circular through opening 36 of diameter d′. Diameter d′ in this embodiment is smaller than diameter d of opening 24. Diameter d′ could also be larger than diameter d in other implementations. Below opening 36 is a slot 28′ aligned with the opening as shown in the directions 32. Above opening 36 is a set for four slots 28′ similarly arranged with respect to each other as the slots 28 on panel 12. All slots 28, 28′ on the panels 12, 14 are substantially identical in this embodiment. In other embodiments, each of the slots may be larger or smaller than the slots 28, 28′ in the length and/or width respective dimensions d and t. The dimension t being the slot width is substantially smaller than the slot lengths d. The slots 28′ are generally equally spaced from each other. But this is not important,

Supports 16, 16′, FIG. 4, are hinged to a side edge 38 of panel 12 via hinge 40 defining a common hinge axis 41, FIG. 1. The opposite supports 18, 18′ are hinged to the opposite edge 43 of panel 14 via hinge 40′ on hinge axis 41′. Hinges 40, 40′ are identical in this embodiment. Supports 18, 18′ are a mirror image of supports 16, 16′ and otherwise are identical in this embodiment. The supports are rotatable about their hinges 40, 40′ for positioning in any desired support position to hold the panels 12, 14 vertical upon a support surface such as the ground and the like. Representative support 16, FIG. 3, is trapezoidal, by way of example, and planar sheet material. It has two parallel linear end edges 42, 44, bottom edge 46 and an inclined top edge 48. Edge 44 receives the hinge 40, FIG. 1. Support 18, FIG. 1, is attached to panel 14 by a hinge 40′. The angle of the supports to the plane of the panels 12, 14 is arbitrary and may have any value. The supports are shown by way of example as other supports such as stakes that penetrate the ground for example may be used in the alternative. The stakes in this embodiment may be fastened to the panels at their edges or other regions.

In FIGS. 2 and 6 a representative disc 50 is configured as the well known commercially available Frisbee discs made by Whamo, Discraft and Sportcraft for example. The discs are believed to be comprised of molded thermoplastic. The discs could also be of any other material, e.g., cloth, rubber and so on. In FIG. 6, disc 50, is a thin sheet of molded plastic and has an outer molded bevel edge 52. The disc 50 has a molded convex upper surface 54 of relatively large curvature radius defining a small angle a from its center to its edge 52. The disc bottom edge 54 lies in a plane.

The disc 50 has a diameter L and a thickness t′. The diameter L and the thickness t′ are smaller than the dimensions, d, d′ of the slots 28, 28′ and circular opening 24, of the panels 12, 14, FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the diameter L is about 2 inches smaller than the length dimension d of the slots and circular opening 24, FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the difference between the diameter L and dimension d may be a fraction of an inch. The smaller the clearance between the disc and matching opening and slots, the more difficult the game. In one embodiment, the slots 28, 28′ have a width t of about 3 inches and the disc has a thickness t′ of about ¾ inches. The disc 50 has a diameter L of 15 inches and the slots 28, 28′ have a length d, of about 17 inches. The slots in that embodiment are spaced apart 2.5 inches.

As known, these discs are thrown with an induced spin about an axis normal to the plane of their bottom edge. When so thrown, they tend to follow a flight path in the direction thrown to some degree of accuracy. Some times they follow unintended paths and sometimes have their bottom edge rotate in a wobbling manner.

The object of the game is for the participant to throw the disc direction 45, FIG. 4, and have it pass through a slot or opening with points assigned depending on which opening is engaged and depending upon the number of throws attempted. The panels 12 and 14 are oriented vertically in this embodiment, i.e., parallel to the force of gravity. Points may be assigned depending upon difficulty, i.e., the extent of the clearance between the discs and slots and openings. Also the thrower may be placed at different distances from the target to add to the difficulty. Also a player, or players, may play the game on either or both sides of the panels 12, 14, e.g., the front and rear at the same time. The panels may be oriented different at different times with respect to the direction in which the disc is thrown, e.g., as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 8, to increase the game difficulty. Many combinations of slot, opening and disc dimensions may add to the varieties of difficulty of the game.

In another embodiment of the target, the opening 24 has a diameter of 16 inches, the slots 28 a dimension d of 17 inches, and the opening 36 in panel 14 a diameter of 13 inches. In this case, the disc used with this latter opening may have a diameter of 10 or 11 inches. In FIG. 1, then the slots are all 3 inches wide (t) and 17 inches long (d). The openings 24 and 36 are respectively 16 and 13 inches in dimension d in this latter embodiment,

In FIG. 4, the target 10 is shown with the two panels 12, 14 coplanar. The four supports 16, 16′, 18, 18′ forming a Y at both ends of the joined two panels in plan view. However, the panels 12, 14 and the supports 16, 16′, 18, 18′ being hinged as shown, means that the panels and supports may be placed at any desired angle relative to each other to form other support and target arrangements as long as the supports do not block the openings in the panels. While four supports are shown this is by way of example in this embodiment. The number and configuration of the supports may differ in other embodiments.

In FIG. 5, the panels 12 and 14 are oriented in respective directions 56, 58 about the hinge 20 axis to form a pentagon region 60. The disc 50 is thrown at the panels in direction 62 toward the front or in directions 64 toward the rear by players on either or both sides of the target. See also FIG. 8, where the panels may be placed in the exemplary positions shown in phantom in directions 56, 58.

While some of the openings are shown as circular they may be other shapes such as ellipses, polygons and so on. The slots while shown parallel and horizontal, may be inclined to the horizontal and non-parallel to each other. Numerous combinations and permutations too numerous to illustrate may be used with the combination of circles and slots some of which are given by way of example herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates another arrangement of slots and circles. Here two identical circular openings 70 are shown in one panel 72 and a third identical opening in panel 74. Slots 76 are shown in a different position than that of FIG. 1. The slots 76 have a dimension d that is the same and the circles may have a diameter d also.

FIG. 9 illustrates a target 78 with three openings 80, 82 and 84 of different diameters and five slots 86 of a length dl different than any of the diameters of the openings. FIG. 10 shows the top plan view of the target of FIG. 9.

It will occur to one of ordinary skill in this art that various modifications may be made to the disclosed preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The disclosed embodiments are provided for illustration and not limitation. It is intended that the invention is defined by the appended claims. 

1. A disc throwing game comprising: a disc for being thrown with an induced spin, the disc having a thickness and length and being arranged with an exterior contour that results in the thrown spinning disc to be propelled in a given relative orientation to the force of gravity from a proximal throwing region to a distal remote region; and a target member having a target region and arranged to stand upright with the target region generally vertical, the target region having a plurality of first openings dimensioned relative to the disc thickness and length to receive the disc therethrough.
 2. The game of claim 1 wherein the target member comprises a planar sheet.
 3. The game of claim 1 wherein the first openings comprise at least one circular opening and at least one slit having a length greater than its thickness.
 4. The game of claim 1 wherein the target first openings comprise at least one circular opening and at least one slit having a length greater than its thickness, the length of the slit and diameter of the circular opening being substantially the same.
 5. The game of claim 1 wherein the target first openings comprise at least one circular opening and at least one slit having a length greater than its thickness, the slit length and the opening diameter corresponding to the disc length and different therefrom by at least a fraction of an inch.
 6. The game of claim 1 wherein the target first openings comprise at least one circular opening and at least one slit having a length greater than its thickness, the slit thickness differing from the disc thickness by at least a fraction of an inch.
 7. The game of claim 1 wherein the target comprises a plurality of sheet members movably connected together to form a single target region.
 8. The game of claim 1 wherein the target comprises a plurality of sheet members hinged together, at least two of the sheet members each having at least one opening.
 9. The game of claim 1 wherein the target comprises a plurality of sheet members hinged together, at least two of the sheet members having at least one opening, at least one of the openings comprising a circle and the other opening comprising a slit, the slit having a length and the circle having a diameter, both the disc length and the circle diameter being larger than the disc length.
 10. The game of claim 1 wherein the target comprises a plurality of sheet members hinged together, said first openings comprising a second opening comprising a circle and a third opening comprising a slit, at least one second opening being on at least one of said sheet members and at least one third opening being on at least one further sheet member other than the one sheet member.
 11. The game of claim 1 wherein the target comprises a plurality of sheet members hinged together, said first openings comprising a second opening comprising a circle and a third opening comprising a slit, at least one second opening being on each said target sheet members and at least two third openings being on each said sheet members.
 12. The game of claim 1 wherein the target comprises a plurality of sheet members hinged together, said first openings comprising at least one second opening comprising a circle on each said sheet member and a third opening comprising a slit, a plurality of said third openings being on each said target sheet member.
 13. The game of claim 12 wherein the openings on each target sheet member are aligned one above the other.
 14. The game of claim 12 wherein the circle on a first target sheet member is aligned above the slits on that sheet member, all slits and the circle being aligned one above the other, and the circle on a second target sheet member being aligned below the slits on that target sheet member, the circle and slits on the second target sheet member being aligned one above the other.
 15. The game of claim 1 including at least one support for supporting the target member, the target member defining a plane and being supported by the support with the plane generally vertical.
 16. A disc throwing game comprising: a disc for being thrown with an induced spin, the disc having a thickness and length and being arranged with an exterior contour that results in the thrown spinning disc to be propelled in a given relative orientation to the force of gravity from a proximal throwing region to a distal remote region; a target member arranged to stand upright and generally vertical and comprising at least two sheet members each defining a plane and having a target region, the target region of each member having a plurality of openings, the openings on each member comprising first and second different openings, each opening being dimensioned relative to the disc thickness and length to receive the disc therethrough; and an arrangement for supporting the target members with its plane vertical.
 17. The game of claim 16 wherein the first openings are circles and the second openings are slits.
 18. The game of claim 17 wherein there is one first circular opening on each target member and a plurality of second openings on each target member, the first opening on each target member having a different diameter, the slits all having the same dimensions.
 19. The game of claim 18 wherein the length of the slits matches the diameter of one of the circles.
 20. The game of claim 16 wherein the openings on the target member are larger than the disc length and thickness by at least a fraction of an inch. 